Kaitaia Orchestral Society’s Concert

Northland Age, Volume XVII, Issue 15, 21 November 1947, Page 6

Kaitaia Orchestral Society’s Concert

The Kaitaia Orchestral Society’s third concert of the current season, held in the A. and P. Hall last night, was certainly the most successful presented to date. Long before the lights were dimmed at 8 p.m. the hall was filled almost to capacity, and the large audience waited with restless expectancy for the opening bars of the National Anthem. Seated in the front rows were the members of I the Kaitaia District High School Girls’ -Choir, forming uniform ranks of navy and white with their smart gym frocks and blouses. Favoured with warmer weather than that to which other audiences had been accustomed, this concert promised to be all and more than was expected as the Orchestra swung into its opening number, the march “The Parisian” by Allen. On this day, when throughout the Empire millions of British subjects listened with lifting hearts to the rousing strains of martial music, accompanying in spirit the Royal processions between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, it was most moving to discern in the rendition of this first march some of that feeling which was almost universal. This was followed by the entr’acte “The Evening Hour” (Hussner) in which violins and viola were heard to advantage. First guest artist to contribute to this feast of musical entertainment was Mrs. F. E. Lee, whose accomplished pianoforte interpretation of Beethoven’s “Sonata Pathetique” drew spirited applause from the audience. The following item by the orchestra. Lemare’s Anaantino (“Moonlight and Roses”) must surely have been first favourite of many, if the acclamation which the presentation was accorded can be considered indicative of the popularity of this number, but it was no better received than the baritone solos rendered by Mr. Eric Kay. Mr. Kay sang “Goodbye” from the “White Horse Inn” by Stolz\ “You Are My Heart’s Delight” by Lehar, and as an encore “Under the Wide and Starry Sky.” All sections of the orchestra were given equal opportunities of demonstrating the mastery of their instruments in the next number, the overture “Pique Dame” by Suppe, particularly the brass section, the effectiveness of which was most pleasing both in harmony and when carrying the melody. The big moment fo r many of the audience arrived as the Orchestra vacated the stage and its place was taken by the Girls’ Choir under its mistress, Miss M. McNeil. The excellence of the training which these girls had received was adequately exemplified in the rendition of the part songs “The Ash Grove” and “Santa Lucia.” The latter number was undoubtedly the most popular, and after the second bracket “O Dear What Can the Matter Be” and “Come Let Us All This Day” which followed the interval, one verse and the chorus was presented as an encore. It was the hope of all those who heard this remarkable performance that they would have further opportunities of heai ■ing the choir on many future occasions. The accompanist was Miss T. Christensen. The march “Across the Rockies” was followed by a further orchestral bracket, the intermezzi “Mademoiselle Modiste”, and “Oriental Dance.” In the latter, the oi-chestra gave a polished demonstration of its versatility. Two pianoforte solos by Mrs. Lee, “Impromptu in A Flat Major” by Schubert and an encore, both of which received warm appreciation, preceded the rendition of Pleyel’s Double Duet in F Major, Op. 23 No. 4, for strings and piano. Violin 'parts were taken by Messrs. Timbers, Kendrick, McKinnon and Hunger Mrs. Timbers was at the piano. This is the first item of its kind that the Society has presented this season, and more genuine appreciation" of the splendid performance cannot be imagined. Perhaps a slight re-arrangement of the programme -would have been advisable as at this late stage the audience was not fully capable of ap- ! predating the “Merry Widow” selection by Lehar. The performance was admirable, however, and was heartily applauded. The entr’acte to the final march was the Barcarolle from the “Tales of Hoffman” by Offenbach, its soft rhythm lulling the audience into satisfying peace, broken only as the last . notes died away. Before raising his baton for the ; first cord of the march “The Middy” ■ by Alford, the Conductor Mr. W. R. Langley thanked the audience for its j adequately expressed appreciation of j the performance, and the guest ar- I tists for their assistance in adding j variety to the programme. He referred particularly to the pleasure it had given him and the Society to have | the High School Girls’ Choir assist- | ing, and expressed the hope that ! choral work would be fostered in the j district. The final item, jauntill bright, with a thought of sea like a salty tang j running through it, was particularly | appropriate and thoughts immediately | turned to 'the other side of the world j where just an hour later our Heiress j to the Throne, Princess Elizabeth, ] proceeded down the aisle of historic | Westminster Abbey on the arm of j her father, His Majesty King George j VI, to her chosen husband, His Rojffil ! Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, a lieutenant in the Royal Navy and but j lately a midshipman in the Senior Service.